ALLETE (NYSE:ALE) today reported 2007 net income of $87.6 million on revenue of $841.7 million, compared to $76.4 million in net income and $767.1 million in revenue in 2006. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations rose 11% to $3.08 from $2.77 in 2006.

Income from ALLETE's Energy business segments was $65.9 million for 2007 compared to $52.4 million in the preceding year. Weather-related kilowatt-hour sales increases, a full year's earnings contribution from the company's investment in the American Transmission Company, higher rates at Superior, Water, Light & Power and the addition of two new municipal full requirements customers all contributed to the improvement. These increases were partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses during the year, compared to 2006. The Energy business also benefited from a lower effective tax rate in 2007.

Income from ALLETE's Real Estate segment was $17.7 million in 2007 versus $22.8 million in 2006 due to decreased demand for property during the year.

ALLETE continues to expect 2008 earnings per share to be within a range of $2.70 to $2.90, with about 10 to 20 percent from the real estate segment. Shippar also noted that the company's board of directors recently announced a 5% dividend increase.

ALLETE's corporate headquarters are located in Duluth, Minnesota. ALLETE provides energy services in the upper Midwest and has significant real estate holdings in Florida. More information about the company is available on ALLETE's Web site at www.allete.com.

The statements contained in this release and statements that ALLETE may make orally in connection with this release that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve

risks and uncertainties and investors are directed to the risks discussed in documents filed by ALLETE with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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About ALLETE

ALLETE is a publicly held company that operates in a complex, dynamic, competitive and regulated environment. ALLETE's board of directors, accountable to its shareholders, is responsible for the direction and control of the company.

All employees and managers at ALLETE are expected to comply with the letter and spirit of the company's ethics policy, as well as with the policies and procedures of individual business units and the laws and regulations that govern our business.